fourbizz

Well, the Crucial is on its way. I WILL try an avid for my next casting rod.

I will preface this by saying that I am IN NO WAY AFFILIATED with this company, just trying to pass a good deal along. I ordered 60 jigs and 720 soft plastics baits from these guys. The quality is very good and the prices are simply unbeatable. 1000 5" stick baits for $60 sound good?!?!?!? It isn't only bulk either. They will sell out pretty quick, thats why I already got mine!

I think Randall is talking about the Fish Arrow Slide Jack, but it has been out for about a year I think.

the motor itself is fine

I have more 400's and I use 'em every trip. It only holds about 140 yards of line, and I have been known to strip and cut 100 feet of line off of the reel during a one day trip at certain lakes. I had a corvalus 200 for a little while and I could get within about 15 feet of getting spooled, just while casting. Some people use a 250/300, but I prefer the 400.

Gee thanks avid! I got my info from a guy who has one and tried using the same bait that I want to. He says it just can't throw it worth a crap. You are right, I probably will go with something more familiar, or at least something that I can pick up and mess with.

You use a mild abrasive and "sand" the surface off. You don't go all the way throough the clear/gel coat just take the abused layer off. then you buff it smooth.

what about cutting and buffing the thing?

I don't think that ice skates use bearings....ba duh dum! . Thats sweet dude. Don't disregard it too quickly, it could be your ticket to an education. Congrats!

Well guys, I looked into it a little closer and the Avid isn't an option anymore. I was planning to throw a bait at the upper end if its weight spectrum, and apparently the rod is "over rated" as far as how much it can throw. I could go for the Legend Tournament, as that series has a rod that would fit. But at that price, it's more than I want to spend, and I would get something else for that kind of money. Thank you guys for your help, and I may very well look into the Avid series the next time I am hunting for a rod.

Good point, it was pretty much a wash. But I would have done it anyway, cause I'm a sucker like that. So the reel was a pretty sweet suprise!!

This is how I decided that I am dating the right woman. Now that is an anniversary gift! Alot better than a stinkin tie!

YEP!

100SP Ghost minnow. mmmmm tasty!

This is what I have rigged when I hit the water 90 % of the time. Rod 1: sinking swimbait Rod 2: topwater swimbait Rod 3: jerkbait or trap Rod 4: jig w/ trailer or stick/creature Rod 5: dropshot or dart head.

Let the rubber rain down my friend! I somtimes rainbow cast on purpose, just to get more splash. Does it mean more fish...probably not, but its fun!

I have a few of them and they are pretty decent reels. I too got mine for the right price, so they were worth it. If I had to pay full price for a reel and pay the extra 20 for the citica. I get mine for about 50 bucks and it is definitely worth it. I have had a problem with the line guide pawl on mine, which shimano fixed for free., but I understand that that problem is happening to all three new models (curado, citica, cruxis) so its not just the cruxis. I grinded my new PB in on one and it held up just fine. For the money, you should do it. The brakes are pretty simple, pop open the cover, and pull the "top hat" looking pieces out away from the hub until they click. they are now "on" there are six and you can use 0-6 at a time.

According to their website, the 8' model that I am interested in does not have the hump. I would like to try their legend series, but for the money, I could have a rod that I would prefer. The avid and the crucial are the same price, more or less, but I want to try something different.

I'll try and get that information for you in the next couple days. A newer/bigger motor isn't really an option, not only financially speaking, but because the boat isnt mine. I have an 18 footer, well actually 17'10 or something, and my buddy has the 12. His motor for it took a crap. So we use one of my kickers ( i have 4, 2 non-op) whenever we use his boat. We usually use my boat, and we don't even use the gas motor alot of the time that we use his. But when we do, I wish it had some decent speed. It doesn't even plane, but it feels "close" and the motor is nowhere near what I would estimate as max operating RPM when WOT. If it just had a little more, it seems like it could overcome all of the drag, and be able to accelerate further after coming on plane. I imagine that it has the slowest pitched prop available, because it was purchased originally as a trolling motor and has never done anything else. It starts first or second pull everytime and runs great, just doesn't seem like its revving to its potential. I'll work on numbers, but I will be on the water tomorrow. Thanks guys. FB

30.5! Thats awesome. Welld done again Randall!

also, has anyone used their round casting reels? on paper they look decent. any experiences?

I called the three nearest dealers ( all over 40 miles away) this morning and none of them had the model i want in stock. they will order me one, but it takes me back to my original problem. and the model i want doesn't have the hump in it. I don't like those very much. they just feel weird.

WHY should I get a St. Croix Avid casting rod over a Shimano Crucial casting rod? I went with the Shimano for my drop shot rod. But I was looking at the St. Croix site and they have a rod that looks like it will really fit the bill for what I want it to do. I am just EXTREMELY leary of buying a rod without having it in my hands first. If you guys could give me reasons, not just a "yeah you should" that would be great, thanks guys. FB

That is an awesomely proportioned fish! Congratulations dude. Thats good stuff right there.

Another vote for firefox. Mine is very customized and perfect for me. You can tailor it to do exactly what you want. Even at my terrible 56K rate, it was still worth the download.